ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey will reduce the sulphur content
of its diesel fuel to harmonize with European Union standards
starting from January 1, 2008, an official from the country's
energy watchdog agency said on Monday.

Turkey's energy markets regulator will change diesel
sulphur levels for fuel for tractors to contain 1,000 parts per
million from current levels of 2,000 ppm, he said.

"Diesel will contain half the amount of sulphur it
currently has," said Nuri Karaoz, an official at the watchdog's
petrol division.

Turkey will also change regulations to reduce the levels of
sulphur in diesel for commercial vehicles and cars to 50 ppm,
starting July 1, 2008, he said.

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Diesel with 50 ppm sulphur is standard in the European
Union.

Diesel containing 7,000 ppm sulphur will be taken off the
market, the agency's web site said.

Earlier this month, Turkish refiner Tupras said Turkey
would switch to cleaner heating oil with just 0.1 percent
sulphur from January 1, 2008.